BBC - Commissioning - Science & Natural History on BBC Four

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Science & Natural History on BBC Four

• See all BBC Four briefs

Controller: Kim Shillinglaw 

Overview

Science and Natural History on BBC FOUR have the freedom to go in depth and relish revelation, often with levity and wit. The channel is the home of big thinking and alternative viewpoints.

Programmes can revisit familiar themes but must do so in completely new ways, or they can take difficult subjects and make them accessible. Subjects should feel focused and specific.

The audience for BBC FOUR is defined more by its attitudes and interests than by demographics. The Channel's unique offer to audiences is real complexity and richness of experience.

Our specific focuses are as follows:

• Continue to build channel's centerpiece science landmarks that are distinctive to FOUR, such as Chemistry: A Volatile History and the upcoming Story of Electricity, and finding new subject areas to bring the channel tone to.
• Continue to do the hardest fascinating science, which may not find outlets elsewhere, such as Everything and Nothing and Joy of Stats.
• Experiment with a handful of differently shaped pieces which stand out in the channel schedule, such as the upcoming Afterlife: House.
• Find new talent, including female, who can engage with their science credentials but have a strong sense of storytelling and own a 'take' or opinion on it. 

What's been working well gallery

The Joy of Stats - Witty, highly visual journey into the wilder end of statistics with first-time presenter Hans Rosling.

Everything and Nothing - Stylish exposition of the far reaches of physics with Professor Jim Al-Khalili  

Science & Natural History - BBC Four - Big Science - Any shape is possible - up to 3 × 60'

BBC FOUR is looking for big science ideas with real authority. The channel has seen success with Chemistry: A Volatile History, Everything and Nothing, and The Gene Code and is looking to continue to broaden its more top shelf science.

Any shape is possible - as long as it's designed to make the biggest possible splash in the schedule. Series can take the form of a standard three part piece, or perhaps a single hour around which a series of smaller satellite programmes can be scheduled.

Programmes should focus on an important area of science. Subjects can come from left-field, or they can be familiar and paths might even feel well worn, but programmes should feel as if they're bringing something absolutely fresh to them - a polemic opinion on a controversial area, challenging complexity, a revelatory opinion or a surprising treatment.

Programmes should feel strongly authored - on or off-screen - and presenters must have intellectual clout and a belief in the argument they're making. While BBC FOUR is open to everyone, presenters need not simplify their message; intelligence and depth is a draw for the Channel's audiences. 

Science & Natural History - BBC Four - Singles and Events - 1 x 60'

There are opportunities for rigorous and topical Science or Natural History singles to make some noise in the BBC FOUR schedule. The Channel is looking for sharp edged pieces that examine important subjects from a fresh perspective such as the upcoming Afterlife: House.

Innovative treatments could work well, as singles need more than an interesting premise or provocative opinion to get noticed on BBC FOUR. Created experiments, live elements or debates could help to raise the profile of the programme - as long as they add value to the central premise.

We are also interested in covering external events such as the Royal Instution Christmas Lectures providing they have the scale and profile to cut through in the BBC4 schedule.

Where are the opportunites available? 

Opportunities exist within the WoCC, independent quota and in-house guarantee in 12/13.

How should I submit my ideas and who should I pitch to?

All proposals should be submitted via the e-commissioning system to the relevant genre controller or commissioner. Take a look at the Who's Who for the latest current affairs  commissioning team contacts

Want to know more about the broader Four service strategy?

If you would like to know more about Richard Klein's BBC One channel strategy, please visit the BBC Four page.